Nia and Jenny Line-Up All-Wales Clash In Bangor

Welsh players Nia Davies and Jenny Haley battle it out for a place in the first round of the $5000 Karakal PSA World Women’s Tour event in Bangor this evening.

Davies, from Beulah in West Wales, plays Newport’s Haley in the second qualifying round at Bangor University.

There are four places available in the main draw with Davies and Haley going head-to-head for one of those.

Davies, 24, was born in Haverfordwest and now lives in Beulah, while 22-year-old Haley is from Newport and lives in Connecticut, USA.

Their opening qualifying matches were both all-Welsh ties. Davies defeated Emily Powell 11-2, 11-1, 11-2, while Haley hit back from a game down to win against Abby Hicks 11-13, 11-3, 12-10, 11-5 in 30 minutes.

Canolfan Brailsford at Bangor University is hosting a first ever professional women’s squash tournament, the first of its kind in Wales and the only Professional Squash Association World Tour event to be held in North Wales to date.

Lisa Aitken from Scotland is number one seed, has been ranked 38 in the World and is currently number 60.

Also competing is World number 66 Enora Villard from France, current European Junior Champion Lucy Turmel and Cheshire girl Rachel Chadwick.

Players from nine different countries including Spain, Colombia and Egypt have made the journey to Bangor giving the event a real international flavor.

There is great Welsh with 12 of the country’s best players involved at the start of the event.

Organisers have thanked Karakal, Haystack Dryers, Bangor University and all the private anonymous sponsors.

Tickets are £5 for a child and £10 for an adult with week passes available at a discounted rate.

To buy tickets or for further information about scholarships contact Brailsford on 01248 382 571 or by email [email protected]

Bangor Classic qualifying round one results:

[3] Lily Taylor (Eng) 3-0 Elin Harlow (Wal) 11-4, 11-3, 11-5 (19m)

[8] Lucy Beecroft (Eng) 3-0 Helen Barnard (Wal) 11-2, 11-2, 11-5 (21m)

[1] Georgia Adderley (Sco) 3-0 Lauren Evans (Wal) 11-5, 11-2, 11-2 (16m)

[7] Evie Coxon (Eng) 3-1 Megan Thomas (Wal) 11-7, 11-13, 11-4, 11-4 (30m)

[6] Laura Tovar (Col) 3-2 Hannah Davies (Wal) 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 13-11 (48m)

[4] Bruna Marchesi (Bra) 3-2 Layna Beattie (Wal) 8-11, 11-4, 8-11, 12-10, 12-10 (35m)

[5] Nia Davies (Wal) 3-0 Emily Powell (Wal) 11-2 11-1 11-2 (14m)

[2] Jenny Haley (Wal) 3-1 Abby Hicks (Wal)11-13, 11-3, 12-10, 11-5 (30m)

Qualifying finals this evening (all on court 4):

6pm   [3] Lily Taylor (England) v [8] Lucy Beecroft (England)

6.45pm   [2] Jenny Haley (Wales) v [5] Nia Davies (Wales)

7.30pm   [4] Bruna Marchesi (Brazil) v [6] Laura Tovar (Colombia)

8.15pm   [1] Georgia Adderley (Scotland) v  [7] Evie Coxon (England)